to his lawes and testimonies whiche shall euer rise vp againste vs for our condemnation byeause we haue in theim so greatly disobeyed the will of god obstinately flyenge frome hym in the true faith and conuersation of his soonne Iesus the heade corner stone whiche the buylders refused and moste shamefully contemned and abused whome he onely appoynted to bee the foundation of our reste and perpetuall mansion Against whiche in any one parte therof we may not spurne to breake God handleth al thinges according to hye vvil among the povvers in heauen and among the inhabitours of the â—â—â—the and therâ—â—nonâ— that may resist his had 〈◊〉 say what doest thouâ— Daniel 4 nor seeke by any meanes to spot and deface but thankefully embrace and be ioyfull of goddes disposed wyll consideryng it is his owne doyng euen for his glories sake although it appere neuer so meruailous in our eies he wil haue it knowen that it is the onely power of his right hand that he himself hath don it Psal 10â— His works ar meruailous his right haÌ„d bringeth mighty thinges to passe yea the right hand of the Lord hath the preemineÌ„ce for the helth saluacion of his people he myghtily preuaileth in al his enteÌ„ts Ps 118. Therfore to coÌ„clude without long depeÌ„ding in admiration seing that Goddes determinatioÌ„s in rightousnes as he himself is a God of rightousnes must most certaynly appere in brightnes and of necessitie be accomplished a mongest vs againste whose will in his woorkes no man may without daunger rebel let vs examine wel our selues and trie our saluacion in truthe by the assistence of the spirite of truthe and therby know our assured leanynge staye and which way we shall rightly walke and not stand so fast in assuraunce to our aunciente termed customes and bycause the greate parte of christendome thorow simple or wilfull ignoraunce reeleth blindelye that waies nor remembryng the smalnesse and myld trade of Christes stable flocke howe pacientely they beare the crosse of Christ and suffer rather to bee persecuted then persecute vnto whome god promised strength and to be amongest theim for their coumforte euen in the middest of the tire although we wickedly iudge of them to dye obstinately vayne gloriouselye desperately most beastly VVicked vvourkers iudge vvickedly like a sort of dogs or very helhouÌ„des with such other malicious rashe and most cursed railynge iudgemente contrarye to god and the heartes of all godly men neither regarde we the example and steppes of their conuersacion The coÌ„uersation of the vvicked through shamelesse pride ambition stoughtnes couetousnes outwarde holynes vnclennesse maliciousnes cruel murther with suche lyke wickednesse spronge vp in the churche of Christe whiche are the fruites of the dyuel and thincensementes of a wicked spirit and therfore refused of the perfect and rightuous christians because they bee contrary to thexample of Christ and his holye Apostles who teacheth vs to trye spirites and to knowe the tree by the fruite but to yelde vs wyth all humblenes bothe bodye and soule Hovve to attaine the grace of god into the handes of god and referre wyth reuerence in suche tyme of controuersie theffect of our whole faith and saluacion to the wourkynge of his grace by the power of his holy spirite to the lyghtnyng of our vnderstanding and to put by doubtfulnes all controuersies sectes and diuisions One God that as we haue but one onely God god our heauenly Father Christ our onelye sauiour and the holy spirite our comforter all thre in glory equall all one in substaunce and in vnitie also all one and vndeuided One faith So we the professours of his name may haue but one onely quicke and lyuely faith in one religion the true rule of christ to the knit tyng of oure hartes in christen vnitie and to bee vndeuided The vertue of christen vnitie to the feclyng in our selues the true peace of God and thexercise of goddes heauenly charitie wherby our eyes shall ber opened to see and receyue his very perfecte and louely obedience reuerently to submytie our selues to all his holy and most godly ordinaunces and with a thankefull and mylde christen spirite accordyng to our most bounden duetie to pray for the Queenes moste excellent maiestie that God for the greatnes sake of his mercy wyll hencefoorth blesse hir preserue her and prepare so for her that her reigne maye bee longe and prosperous amongest vs with muche ioy honour wealthe strengthe and victorie ouer her ennemies that she maye the more quietely in the feare of God seke aboue all thynges the glory of God in rightuousnes accordyng to the truthe of his wourde and that his ministers also vnder her may bee endued with the spirite of truthe that his truthe in rightousnesse maye beautyfully and cleerely shyne thoroughout her graces dominions to his euerlastynge prayse and that we beeynge also blessed vnder her higâ—es hande with ready prepared hartes for the grace of God may haue sufficient of all thynges to the sustentation of oure earthely bodyes subduynge alwayes the enemies of the common wealthe that we her humble and louynge subiectes maye reioyce thorowe hir highnesse in the greate mercies of God and be thankefull louyng more perfectly one another and applye oure selues with more pitifull and tender heartes to see oure poore neyghbours and christen brotherne better relieued and prouyded for that God in Iesus Christe maye styll vnto the ende holde his mercyfull hande ouer vs and finishe his good wourke vpon vs newly agayne begunne to the exaltation prayse and glorye of his moste blessed holy name whiche alone is worthy all honour and glory Amen The peace of God the father through our lord Iesus Christ by the workyng of his holy spirite in you abyde in all your harts and kendle in you the fyre of his loue Amen IF we the chyldren of Adam depely wold consyder and ponder diligently from the beginnyng the maiestie of thimmortall God In beholdyng symply and with all humblenes both externely and with our inward senses his omnipotent power and workemanship in heauen and in erth the merueilouse order of his doynges Gene. 1. and his most happy entent towardes mankind in the same what greate appearaunce there was of his moste deere and syngular loue that after the creation first of heauen and earth as also the depe and bottomlesse seas and all thynges innumerable in theym conteyned and by hys blessynge tencreace and multiply for the redy vse seruyce and pleasure of man howe he then in tyme made man a creature amonge all other his louelye creatures moste glorious beautyfull and semely yea and after his owne ymage and symilitude a liuyng soule breathyng into him the breath of life Gene. 2. Eccle. 32. 1. Cor. 15. how he made him lorde and ruler and to haue dominion ouer all gaue names vnto all maner of cattall fowles of th aire and beastes of the fielde how he planted a gardeyn of pleasure and there
Fearest thou not in thy selfe that huge heapes of sinne that wil accuse thee or make the more careful and lowely Neither thy barthen of thy conscience that so fore oppresseth thee and wherby the iustice of god hangeth ouer thee Either wyâ—â—e thou shew thine hart to be hardened against him O fadyng floure erthly creature what meanese thou vnreuarently to forget god thy creator or not to fear hym Thinkest thou that the coÌ„tinuaÌ„ce of thy wil to do wickedly shal euer endure Or why art thou so presumptuous ageinst him Art thou able thou wretched and feeble wourmâ—â— to resiste hys omnipotence or almyghtye power Art thou not in hys hande as a piece of clay in the hand of the potter Esaie 49. Iere 18.19 Rom. 9. Or whyche of all the stought or puyssaunte prynces of the earthe shall not stoupe at hym and obeye hym He trulye is almyghtye and terryble yea the earth trembleth and quaketh for feare of hys greate indignacion and wrath and the people shal not he able to abide hys threatnynge The whole power and strength of all the earth ioyned to Iâ—ther is not able to abyde one blaste of the breathe of goddes mouthe And darest thou thou dustye stubble persist or stand at any time in the state of wickednes before the face of so great and terrible a god Consider therfore thy wilfull malice and folishnes and thy carelesse slippyng from god that is so iust and terrible Examin thy self reuerentlye in the feare of god trye well the state of thy coÌ„science whether thou mayest iustlye saye before heauen and earth O lord thou omnipoteÌ„t terrible god Hiere 17. whose throne is most glorious excelleÌ„t and of most antiquitie which dwellest in the heuens euen in the place of mans holy rest of whoÌ„ thou arte of all goddes moste highely to he feared for thou art a rightous and a iuste god in pouryng thy wrath vpon thyne enmies The repentant sinner yea I must also say that thou art a mercyfull and a louyng god the only comforter and refuge of man his immouable pillour and staye of assurance and the lyuely hope of his helth ioy strength and saluation Therfore O Lorde in acknowledgynge thyne omnipotency and great mercy whervnto I appeale I humbly fly vnto thy mercy seate for succour for myne iniquitie O god is manyfest vnto thee which I confesse before thy diuine maiestie I haue O lord offended against thee I haue forsaken thy lawe and coÌ„mitted iniquitie I haue fledde from thy loue I haue falne from thy word I haue broken my fidelite I haue ben rebellious against thee For myn hart hath wickedly possessed pride and maliciousnes wherby I haue greuousely offended and hurte my neyghbour O Lorde greate therfore is myne iniquitie in thy sight Psal 119. My conscience iustly accuseth me my fleshe treÌ„bleth for feare beefore thee my spirites are troubled within me And the remembraunce of thy Iudgement is terrible vnto me O Lorde myne eies therefore gushe oute with water my sight falleth me I am greuouslye vexed myne harte panteth within me my strength is gone from me my knees are weake my flesshe is dryed vp my beautie is consumed I am weary of my gronynge Alas my griefe alas my fal Alas my great wo and myserye for thys my stroke and wofull plage that thy grace O God should thus be taken frome me wherby I most wretched sinner am forget full of my truthe and obedience of my faythe and promises of thyne infinyte loue and goodnesse towardes me and of thy greate indignation and Iustice for my synne iniquitie Ah who shall geue me water to my head and a fountain of teares to mine eies that I may washe my bedde with teares of sorow and bewayle my sinnes both nighte day wherby thy grace O swete god may yet be returned vnto me and thy iustice agaist me be shortlye preueÌ„ted I make myn huÌ„ble peticion in thy presence with my whole hart the thou wile be merciful vnto me accordyng to the truthe in thy wourde O heauenly father A Prayer lette thy greate mercy in Iesus Christe lyghten vppon me that thy wrathfull indignation preuaile not against me I humbly with repentaÌ„ce acknowledge myne iniquite I coÌ„tesse my sicknes frailtie appeale to thy mercye promysed vnto me in Iesus Christ And if thou O Lorde for his sake wilt assist me Psal 119. order my steppes according to thy wourd my fete shall kepe thy pathes no wickednes shall henseforth haue dominion ouer me O refourme therfore with mercy that is amisse Psal 3â— for thy mercy recheth vnto the heauens and thy faithfulnes vnto the cloudes With the is coÌ„fort the light of life in thy light shal I se light and the workes of darknes shall flie farre from me O turne thee then vnto me Ierem. 1â— so shall I be tourned heale thou me and I shall bee made whole saue thou me and I shall be saued O be not terrible vnto me after thy rightuous iudgemente Psal 143. Enter not into iudgement with thy seruaunt for then shall I not be iustified in thy syghte Yea if thou O lorde shouldest extremely marke what is doone amysse who could then abyde it But thou arte also a God of mercy yea thou delightest in mercy and with thee is plentuous redemption My soule therfore flieth only vnto thee Psal 130. it wayteth humbly for thee trusteth assuredly in thee Out of the depe doo I call vnto thee O Lorde O here myne humble voyce and lette thyne eares consyder welle the voyce of my complaynte Benignely beholde me with thyne eye of mercy that I I say thyne vnwourthy seruaunt maye bee ioyfull of thy couÌ„tenance O let thine holy spirite possesse my harte to create in me a cleane harte to â—enue within my bowelles a ryghte spiryte that I wretched synner may be quiet in thee maye growe in the true knowledge of thee that I may feruentlye desyre thy kyngedome and that I maye knowe thy wyll and reuerently wourke there after For thorow thyne onelye grace O Lorde and by the vehement impulsion of thyne holye spirite shall myne heart and soule be cleane pourged quiesed quickened strengthned sanctified It is thy spirite O GOD that shal conuerte my soule and guyde me forth in the pleasaunte and playn path waye of rightuousnesse Yea Lorde I wyll therfore be bolde and saye Come thou good spirite of god comme I beseche thee and assiste me with the present healthe of thy grace I haue affiaunce in thee O instruete thou me and strengthen mee refresshe comforte and quiete me replenysshe my soule with ioye and gladdenesse and kendle in me the fyre of thy loue Th n O holy spirit whether in body I wake or sleape my soule shall continuallye watche vnto thee thynke of thee delight in thee depende onely vpon thee yea it shal be fully satisfied in thee and euermore reioyce loue please thee euen
not God by the doctrine of his wourde to be a god of loue of vnitie peace and concorde or that we haue not abundantly in Christe Iesus both tasted and felt of the liuely and faste flowynge fountaines of his grace â— Cor. 13 to the greate blessyng sustentation and comfort of body and soule whose coÌ„mandementes also we haue professed and promised to obeye and whose steppes of rightousnesse we ought to embrace and folow In consideration whereof and for the perfourmaunce of ryghtuousnes haue not wee Christians the rather good occasyon well to remembre that when we were professed consecrated wyth the holye mysteries of the founâ—aine of lyfe howe we thenne boundo our selues vnto the good wyll of god Rom. 6. and Christ in all puritie and holynes and to forsake the deuil and al his daÌ„pnable wourkes of darkenes and lyke dilygence and faythfull souldiours of Christ to be alwaies prepared and redie armed wyth the armoure of lighte and rightuousnes to wythstande the cruell assaultes and craftye ingins of Sathan that our most aunciente and mortall enemye And valyauntlye to aduenture our lyues throughout the whole rase and dangerous passage of this shorte lyfe vnder oure victoriouse prince most puissant captain christ to whome oure lyues are double due first because he ons gaue lyfe vnto vs and thaÌ„ being lost to restore it vnto vs agayne Eyther are we forgetfulle agaynste whome wee stryue For we wrastle not agaynste fleshe and bloud but agaynste rule agaynste power againste worldlye rulers euen gouernours of the darkenes of thys worlde and agaynste spirituall craftynesse in heauenlye thinges Wherefore take vnto you the whole armoure of god sayeth saint Paule that ye may be able to resist in the euyll daye Ephe. 6. Luke 18. Thes 5. and stande perfect in al things Stande therfore and your loynes gird with the truth hauing on the breast plate of rightuousnes hauing shoes on your fete that ye may be prepared for the gospel of peace Aboue al things take to you the sheld of faith wher with ye may quench all the fyry dartes of the wicked And take the helmet of saluation the sword of the spirite which is the word of god And Iob saith â—oh 〈◊〉 That the life of manne here vpon th earth is but a continuall warfare or tyme of resistence mightily touer come the stoughtnes of our enemies that no maÌ„ attaineth the croun of victory except in Christ be striue laufully And that we prepare our selues by coÌ„tinuall praier to preuaile against our ennemies as the Israelitê therby preuailed againste the wicked Amalachitê Exod. 17. or other their deadly enmies meÌ„ cioned in the scriptures Wherfore for the more strait loking to of our charge and the more spedye fulfyllyng of our professioÌ„ bond as we wold shew our selfs faithful valiaÌ„t wise souldiors thobedieÌ„t seruantê of god as we wold declare our selfes to be the zelous childreÌ„ of the vprighte and moste pure honourynge of god and as we woulde haue any regarde to the state of our soules and to the lyfe to come whose euerlastyng ioyes no tungue can expresse let vs haue in remembraunce oure sayde promyse 〈◊〉 made to anye earthelye kynge or other vayne creature vnder the sonne nor to any angel in heauen but to the Lord of heauen him self that liueth for euer a god aboue al goddes a righteous god omnipotent and immortall vnto whome let vs acknowledge our owne weakenes and applye our selues chieflye and aboue al thinges humbly to abase our selues to prepare our strength in Christ to seke the mortification of thold man the whole body of synne to seeke newnes of life and to hungre and thirst for the waye of rightuousnes Prayer is the eleuation of the minde to god vvaâ—do vvhereby is secluded al worldly do sires and all carnall and vayne fantasies And vnto the said prayer must be ioyned fastynge and almose dedes Toby 12. lette vs trauell wyth our ful force and strength and with al feruent prayer and bourning desire to god to attayne at his gracious most mercyfull hande to bee partakers of the depthe of hys grace whereby we maye the rather attayne into our hartes the wisedome of his sonne Christ whiche by vs must be reuerently searched for and digged out of the hydde treasures and plentyfulle vaynes of diuine scriptures or wourde of god which is the word of truth the touche-stone of trial the lanterne of light the heauenly foode health strengthe and life to our soules wrought in vs by the spirite of God or mynistred vnto vs by his diuine and faithfull mynisters And by whose clearenes and beautyfull bryght shynyng beames our soules may be pourged frome all impuritie frome the vayne wisedome of the worlde from darkenes and from the fowle stynkynge and blynde thycke myste of ignorance whiche dymmeth in vs the perfect senses and iudgemeÌ„t of reason whiche is wonderfully corrupted against whom sensualitie preuaileth who also of it selfe is not able to healpe and rule it selfe but feebly yealdeth to confusion and therefore muste haue for his assured and perfect guyde a more excellent and wourthy gouernoure For not withstandynge that Baptisme the outewarde signe and lauachre of Regeneration hathe wiped away in vs the greate and foule spotte yet the synne VVee styll possesse the spot of our father AdaÌ„ partlye there remayneth styll of oure progenitoures and first parentes which hath not a litle darkened that soo pure and cleere light of the couÌ„tenance resemblauÌ„ce or similitude of god whyche he hathe wonderfullye shewed and layed vpon vs whereby our courage is greatly enfeabled oure streÌ„gth diminished or the vertue of our wysedome fowlye dysteyned and spotted For the reformacion wherof through the liuely courage omnipotencye and greate wysedome of oure Capitayne Christe and by the vertue heauenlye operacion thereof in vs our hartes by hym shal be cleane pourged and lyghtned to possesse and enioye the spirite of humilitye mekenes Through whyche vertue also we shall bee the rather in Iesus Chryste made more apt vesselles prepared and sanctified to honoure and meete for the vse and seruice of our lord god and to the receyuinge also of hys most holye spyrite Math. 5. Iohn 4. who alwayes reioyceth to reste in the humble and meke harted personne vnto whom Christ hath promised the blessyng of god and to enâ—Ì„erite and possesse the earth Iohn 14. Math. 5. And when our mynds are therby replenished we shall be thaÌ„ the more enforced with all singlenes of hert to marke dilygently by hearyng or readyng the wourde of god what his good wyll and pleasure is should here in this lyfe be done by vs and amongest vs who hath promised vs for our christen obedience humilitie mekenes in acknowlegyng as before oure owne inhabilitie and weakenes trustyng and only leauyng to the power and merites of Christe that he wyl mercifully heare vs when we call vnto hym Iohn 7.9 and teustruct vs
from my verye hearte with all my power and strength and loue my neyghbour as my selfe to thy glory O god all the daies of my lyfe and for euer in the world to come Thus I say O thou erthly creature dere christen brother that hasardly by due iustice abidest the hard hande of God let daily sorow fasten vppon thee and continuall sadnes poâ—â—eâ—fe thyne hart Offre vnto God the acceptable sacrifice of a troubled spirite of a brokeÌ„ sore vexed and contrite heart till grace bee planted againe in thee and thy synnes thorowe faithe cleane purged and taken from thee And alwaies remembre if thou loue god bicause of his mercy if thou feare hym for his iustice sake or if thou beare any good hart towardes the counsailes or voice of god harden not thy hart as in the day of temptation keÌ„dle not vpon thy self the wrath of god flee from the vengeaÌ„ce to com for otherwise the iustice of God wylle fall faste vppon thee And yf thou as before wilfully dost desire to be mindfull of wrath reuengement or displeasure either of speking or of doing wickedly vse fyrste thy cogitation in this maner folowyng whiche shall bee rather to a godly entent and purpose accordyng to the counsayle of the preacher which is not to be yreful against thy neyghbour to wourke reuengemente agaynst hym for any matter or to wythhold thy charitie from him but to thinke vpon the moste terrible bitter day when thou among the rest shalt be called vppon by the trompe of god Eccle. 18. to appere before his wrathfull indignacion and to remembre the bitternes of his vengeaÌ„ce wheÌ„ he shal turne his face away from thee yea euen froÌ„ thee thou wrathfull and dampnable reiected creature if thou abyde in thy wrath and yf thou with the rest shalte be partaker of thys terrible and moste bytter sentence Awaye ye wicked to the deuell and to hell fyre for euer Yf thou otherwyse haue pleasure to think vpon wrath and to wourke or deuyse mischiefe thereby to the hurte of thy neighboure be thou certaine hereof well assured that suche a matche shall be ioined vnto thee as wyll cruellye in his wrath vexe thee quickly consume thee and violentlye twyne thee euen lyke a rysshe Psal 49. to the sodaine and shorte confusion Euen God hym selfe it is that shal recompence thee thy wickednesse shal destroy thee in thine owne wycked malyce yea it is the Lorde God hym selfe I say that shall vtterlye destroye thee As hatrede enemitie reuengement with suche other are wyeked euils forbidden thee and thervppon agreed with thyne owne consent and promise to a blessed and most happie ende so if thou contemnynge this prohibition dooest swarue frome thy promyse and fidelitie and cleaue vnto suche iniquitie they wyll kendle the wrathe of God agaynste thee Eccle. â—â— to the increace of affliction to the wour kyng of an euyl death and euerlastyng destruction Thou shalte worthily be compted among the numbre of the cursed and vngodly people Vpon whom god in this lyfe shall rayne snares fyre brymstone storme and tempeste whiche shall be their dewe portion to drynke Psal 1â— And suche as be scornefull despisers withoute a cause they shall bee put to confusion Psal 5. Psal 68. Psal 75. neyther shall suche as be mercylesse and cruell stande in the syghte of God For lyke as ware melteth at the greate heate of the fyreâ— so shal â—hun godly perishe at the preseÌ„ce of god come to a terrible and feareful end Fire haile wind earthquake tempest and whirlewind hungre and thirst pestilence murrayn burninge feuers incurable botches swellyngs madnes and suche straunge diseases sodayn fearefulnes strise vnquietnes rigour oppression sworde bloudsheddyng death sodayn death destruction and punishment the teeth also of wild and noysome beastes the scorpions Eccle. 39. serpentes and all suche poisoned and venomous wourmes are created for vengeaunce to the destruction of suche malicious and wicked people If thou wylt not therfore do obserue the will of God and feare to offende the fearefull name of the Lorde thy God Deut. 28. Psal 39. he will sende vpon thee yea and vpon thy seede after thee these foresaid greuous and moste terrible plagues and curses O chaunge therfore thy copy and tourne in tyme. Leaue of frome wrathe what soeuer thou be and lette go displeasure feare god be charitable kepe peace abyde in loue styppe not from it consider it wel and thinke what theron dependeth so shalte thou knowe it yea thou shalt gladly also exeresse it and enioy for euer the delectable fruites of it And if thou wilte further knowe of loue what it is note saint Paule Loue saith he is pacient and curteous 1. Cor. 4. it enuieth not it dooth not frowardly it is not pufte vp it dealeth not dishonestly it seeketh not her own it is not prouoked to anger it thiÌ„keth none euil it reioiceth not ouer iniquitie but in rightuousnes truthe it beareth al thinges 1. Tim. 1. beleueth al things hopethe all thynges and suffere the all thynges And this loue is the whole summe and ende of the lawe that shineth from a pure harte and good conscience and out of an vnfayned faith Rom. 13. For they that loue one an other fulfilleth the law So that the dedes theÌ„ of that fleshe beynge mortitied Gala. 2. we shall haue our conuersation in the spirit and not lyue vnder the lawe These are the fruites of the spirite Gala. 5. loue ioy peace longe sufferynge gentylnesse goodnesse faithefulnesse meekenesse and temperaunce These I saye bee the fruictes of the spirite And those that possesseth them are free and lyue not vnder the law wherby our soules are in rest at peace with god we coÌ„tent well god we reioyce to worke his will to the helpynge and edifyenge of oure neyghboure and to compte of our selues to be as before al membres of one bodye to thinke that we be all but one in Christ Charitie to reioice in our neighbours helth welth coÌ„fort eueÌ„ as we would do of our own to remedy his incoÌ„modities to lameÌ„t hys distresse mysery to aide him and comforte hym or if he erre or go oute of the right way to bewayle frome oure hartes hys greate blyndnes errour to geue him frendlye counsayle and warnynge to admonish him gently to tel him of his faultes soberlye and courteousely to geue hym instructions for his learning according to the veritie of goddes worde wherby oure hartes are illumined yâ— will of the flesh confouÌ„ded finally as the redemed iewel of Christ decely beloued of him to succour him in al necessities Thus if we hereby wel regard the mynde of god hys great loue and mercy towardes vs our obediece vnto hym and oure dueties towardes our neighbours we shal perceiue and easely finde out what heaueÌ„ly doctrin and counsailes among many others these are to be attayned vnto to be beloued embraced
meanynge howe the diuel the sower of sedition and worker of all mischief hath meruailousely preualled agaynst vs and howe he hathe made diuision amongest vs to the rentyng and tearyng in peces the straight bonde of our peace to God I haue noted also our loue duetie towardes our neighbours and howe greatly therein we haue disobeyd the wyll of God declaryng also certain impediments presently raignyng emongest vs that hindereth muche the true charitie of God c. And wherein soeuer in this woorke of godlynes I haue seemed to swarue frome due order not vsynge and temperynge the matter in suche wyse as wysedom experience and greate learnyng wold require to theedifyeng and godly profytynge of the diligente and faithfull reader A requeste to the reder I humbly beseeche the charitable and louyng frende that arte zelous to vertue and godlynes to beare with my faultes to take in good parte the vertue of my good will and contentedly ioyn thy wyl to the gracious good wyll of god from whom all vertue procedeth who chargeth and strayghtlye commaundeth thee that in whatsoeuer thyng thy conscience shal herein iudge vnto thee to bee good agreable to hys wourde thou do in no wise contemne it hauyng respecte to persones but imbrace it and preferre it for his glorye prayse sake It is the ende of my trauail and thouly straight marke wherevnto tendeth the effecte of my good wyll If it shall please thee of thy goodnesse to ioyne with me in that behalfe seyng that nothynge is more expedient in the the life of a christian man Nothing is more expedieÌ„t in the life of a christen maÌ„ than to be mindful of god agreable to to his profession or the more beautifieth his honest estimation then in al his doynges to be myndfull of God in such wyse to vse them that God therby may bee alwayes contented and his name woorthyly praised and magnified So that suche simplicitie and faithful plainnesse dedicated frome our hart to God and agreablye amonge oure selues to beare one with an other respectynge contynuallye the rewarde of the ende there shall not then bee seene in vs any spotte of reproche or any blemysshe of deformitie whether of scornefulnesse contempte Fruites froÌ„ aÌ„ vvicked hart or disdaynefulnesse one agaynst an other whiche are approued euylles spryngynge from wycked hartes frome whens proceede the defamation rashe iudgemente sclaunder detraction and euyll reporte to the great hynderyng pluckyng backe and discouragyng of faythfull and willyng hartes that are at all tymes aptly bent to bee seruisable for the praise of god to the commoditie or coumforte of his people for whose sakes and godly edifyeng the fruites of righteousnes appereth frome the ryghtuous as god shall plant in theim the plentyfulnesse of his grace the distribution wherof appeareth not vppon all men alyke If God therefore christen reader haue poured vpon thee more abundantly the giftes of his grace that thou seest and knowest to his praise that which I or many others neyther yet haue seene or knowen whether by great wysedome profounde learnynge or holynes of lyuyng with a mortified or subdued body wherby the lyght also of thy lyfe more clerely shineth before the worlde to the commendation of God and man and that thou passest forth thy tyme apointed of God with inward ioy of thy conscience as one that were conuersaunt with god in heauen wholly neglocting the fugitiue pleasures of this lyfe whiche seemeth to be of myghtie force and annexed to ioyes incomparable consider then I humbly beseeche thee wyth thyne accustomed thankfulnes to god the dewe office of these sayde vertues nowe abiding in thee and the heauenly operation of them which at no tyme or in any thynge who soeuer haue them in possession Neyther vvisedome learninge nor holienesse of liuing slepe in priuate idlenes sleepe in priuate ydlenesse or properlye serue for one onelye mannes strength and commoditye to staye hym or wourke force in hym to his contentation and purpose or to the well lykynge onelye of hym selfe in all thinges and scornefully reprouinge others whyche shoulde seeme to bee the fruites of a vaine and vnfrendly spirit and greatelye dissentinge from the spyrite of grace but to beare charitablye with others Ignoraunce basenesse of knowledge or imperfection of holines tenderly taking in good part their present appointed talente whych god hath geuen vnto theun after the measure of his grace The charitie of the vvise and godlie learned for therby truly thy lernyng thy wysedom and thy verruous liuyng shall be the rather approued to thvse of god and for the great comfort and good encouragemente of me and suche other like to be diligent by the helpe of God and to growe to further strengthe and godlye perfection to the prayse of God And in the meane while where this my presente doynge shall in deede seeme vnto thee to be but grosse vnpleasant dull and vnwitty voyde of good order and barrayne of eloquencye whyche are reprochefull impedimentes in the skylful and learned wrighter as I contentedly herein by thy vertue and wisedome beare thy pacyente and learned iudgemeÌ„t thys coÌ„modytie thereby shal redounde towardes thee that thorowe suche vnseemelines disorder and rudenesse of thys my sleightie and sleander doynges the excellencie of thy lyuelye diligence and profounde wysedome in thy learned trauayles shall appeare muche more beautyfull and seemelye and more clearelye to shyne to thy glorye and immortall fame beynge nowe so rychelye possessed adourned and beautified wyth so precious and pearelesse treasures planted in thee from the God aboue Who gentlye at all tymes of hys mooste mylde nature taketh in good parte suche retourned fruites as he beefore hathe bee gonne and sette in oure heartes accordynge to the depth of hys grace by whose heauenlye and diuyne influence hys faste sette roote of ryghteousnesse he mercyfullye preserueth nourisheth watâ—reth and prospereth with his celestiall distillyng moysture or dewe of life that to one or other from the highest to the lawest from the moste perfecte taster to the moste insensible creature choyse shall styll reygne to chose that at the least some swetenes or good repast may ioyfully fal to som This consydered I for my parte am the rather encouraged or by Goddes good motion enforced I am bolde so to terme it for as much as no goodnes procedeth from the harte of man without his assistence and greate strengthe thereby to spende in this behalfe some pâ—rcell of my tyme to shewe forthe the prayse of god in the works of his grace thorough the increace of vertue by the power of his holye spirite that the deuils moste vyolent and damnable dartes woundyng our consciences to euer lastyng death beyng putte by and vanquished the lyfe of righteousnes maye flowe in vs to the knowledge and loue of god and that we may in the feare of God seke his peace and vnitie to loue one an other and not to be in any wyse deuided but to bee charitable pitifull
and frendely one to an nother and to prepare for the nedefull sustentation of the poore membres of Iesus Christe who miserablye perisheth for wante of succor that the blessyng of God the father in his sonne our Lorde and sauior may plentifully descende down amongest vs and vpon vs al The mercy of god tovvards the Quene to the preseruation chieflye of the Quenes most royal maiestie whom god hath hitherto nourisshed blessed and mightily preserued thorowe hys mercye and according to the lyuelye faithe and hope of innumerable her true frendes and obedieÌ„t subiectes and contrarye to the expectation of manye thousandes her maliciouse most cruell enemyes our Lorde for the greatnes of hys mercyes sake wourks in them Repentaunce to the tournyng of their heartes and prepare them to be now appliable and obedient subiectes that we may altogether in vnitie wyth faythfull and true Englishe heartes be thankefull vnto God for her grace to leane to her and with a louelye feare to obeye her to honour her to healpe her and reioyce in her our chief souerayne and onelye high maiestrate nexte vnder god whome he with hys stretched oute arme and almyghtie power and without the effusion of anye christen bloud or occasion minystred to the same hath quietly stablished her and brought her to her imperial throne so greately hath he vanquished the harts of her enemies signifienge thereby vnto vs all her true englishe The pourpose of god tovvardes the Quene and christen subiectes that she is of purpose elected raised vp and preserued by god to this imperial dignity as the appointed seruaunie or high mynyster of God for the supportacion of peace and to take the swourd of auctoritie in her owne hande to the erecting or reedifying agayne of hys glorye in peace and righteousnesse takynge hys wourde of trueth to be her assured good guide aide and strength by the vertu and Inuincible power thereof to supplante and treade vnder foote The verâ—â—e of goddes vvorde all vaine deuised fantasies crastye collusions proude vsurpacions to the reioyeing of Christies faithfull seruauntes his true frendes and ministers and to the reformation or amendement of all other his disobedient and blynde ignorant ennemies if the spirite of grace wyl so work in them for their happy conuersion as the newe borne children of god and by her to be supported preserued and safelye defended by the auctoritie aforesayde grounded vpon god and her gracious mooste godlye lawes Withoute whiche holye conuersion and humble submission leauynge all wycked affectes apertlye or secreatlye repugnynge murmurynge conspiringe subtle dyssemblynge or wyckedlye rebellynge againste god and hys true procedynges reueled and sette soorthe from tyme to tyme by hys appointed and chosen mynisters for hys owne gloryes sake in righteousnesse In vvhat vvise god hath raised vppe the Queene not raysed vp wyth cruell rage by vs mooste maliciouse and wretched creatures wyth speare and shseide or wyth spre and swourde but peaceablye preserueâ— and therein supported by the only vertue of goddes diuine power who wil stire vp whom he suâ—ceth and wil haue his truth to raign and flouryshe maugre our heades that hath had or haue cursed beate hartes to the contrary that are so wifully blindly addicted to our fathers old fossty customes crepte in amongeste vs by the diuelles deuyse and receyued or stablished by menne wyth their consent coÌ„men couÌ„sails and agrement wythout true triall auctoritie by the wourd of god or prefermeÌ„t by the spirite of truth althoughe we call theym suche holye fathers and so many in number gathered togyther at certayn tymes and places who sought to vpholde the swetenesse of their terrestriall kingdome through couetousnes and theyr fayre coloured wourdes and goodly painted shewes makyng marchaÌ„dise of vs whose iudgemente is not farre of and their iuste dampnacion sleepeth not for the breath of God I say wyll confound such doinges and oure stubbourne disobedience shal be visited with the sword I shal not here neede by expresse wordes to make mention of the greeuous and moste terrible destruction speciallye of gods peculiar people the Iewes amonge other nations for their greate dysobedience wilfulnes pryde and vnthankefulnes Consider also that god hath now of late begonne agayne with his owne church sharpelye to visite them and diuersely for their greate vnthankfulnes VVilful and christinate rebellions shal be 〈…〉 1. The vvrath of god tovvardes his people in the dayes of hys grace and dydde therfore styrre vp his ministers of vnrighteousnes diuerslye most cruelly and impituouselye to vexe them to tormente them and moste shamefully to destroye them as shepe appointed to the slaughter and in suche wyse their mercyles crueltye did abounde that the fauourers of their religion a great numbre of them in the daies of kynge Edwarde fledde frome them they vtterly forsoke theÌ„ for their hartes dyd abhorre them in their doynges OccasioÌ„ of the peoples conuersion and were thorowly perswaded in their consciences that yf they or their religion had ben of god thei wold haue been muche more pitifull and not with such tyranny destroy the professours of Christ so great was the wrathe of god ouer his people and flock for thabusing of his grace and not wel ordryng them selues in suche holy profession Frome whome he hath now ones more withdrawen his wrathe God hatiâ—â— retourned his mercy thorowe his greate mercy in Iesus Christ and at the humble intercession in hym of his moste greuous afflicted saintes to the cleare shynyng ones agayne of his glorye in truthe amongest them for their further instruction and more reuerente obedience to his lawes If God so bytterlye vexed them whoms he so dearely loued the louers of his gospell for their disobedience sake aad dissimulation or doublenes how much more shall the fire of hys merciles wrath be kindled agaynst vs that haue ben before obstinate The vvrath of God agaynste his obstinate and vvilful enemies wilfull and olde repugners of ryghtuousnes hynderers blasphemers consentours to bloud shedde and moste cruell persecutours to the deathe of his true ministers faithefull prophetes preachers and dearely beloued membres although we spightfully reuiled them mocked them and called them seismatikes and a thousande heretikes with rathe iugement to damnation for euer not takyng heauen nor purgatory charitably in our waie and that notwithstandyng suche thynges are nowe called agayne in peace and wyl yet perseuer in suche wickednesse and wilfully kicke against the pricke Truely truly we are well warned by the significations of god VVhat the mercyes of God 〈…〉 vs doâ— signifie according to his mercy to be better scooled learned and practised in the doctrine and rules of Christe and to feare the swourde of goddes vengeance that hangeth by a feble threde redy to fal vpon vs. God is the god of saluation to all them that wil harken and tourne vnto him to leane vnto his examples of mercy to flie from tyranny or consent to bloudshed with such like accordynge
agaynst those whom god most dearely loued But what gette they at any time therby Are they not therfore with blouddy Cayne most wourthitie accursed And for this their hurtful rebellion wrathfulnes the breach of goddes peace knowen where so euer they be scattered or intermedled in the true church of god to be the right synagoge of Sathan the serpentes most poysoned and noysome seede only rooted in the rotten hartes and stinkyng soyle of the wycked growynge vp and spreadynge ouer the whole face of the earth euen verye duste and drosse the ofscourynge and fylthe of the earthe the venemous slynkynge weedes and moste fylthy rotten dunge spoylyng spottynge and poysonynge where yt maye the pure and holsome ayre the beautifull and goodlye groundes the louelye greene pastures the sweete smellynge herbes and the moste faire flourysshynge flowers fruictes and trees enclosed with glorye in the most amiable seemelye and precious gardeine of Christ yea and that by his only power also this moste pestilent and infectuous fylthy dunge shall bee in time as myre in the streates throwne out euen by that most iust most pure most puissaunt and almyghty prynce of peace and shall for euer susteyne wyth the dyuell and cursed Cayne the violence of his wrathe the weightye stampe of confusion vnder hys feete and his most fearse furious spourne into the botomles pitte stinking lake of helle God shall recompence oure wyckednes and destroy vs in our malice yea I say euen the Lorde god he it is that shal destroye vs he watcheth ouer vs and when we in our vngodlynes least feare hym and beare our selues agaynste hym and agaynste the peace healthe and lyfe of his people when we are greene as the grasse and at the ripest and that all oure workes of wickednes doo moste abounde and florishe thenne shall we bee destroied and euerlastynglye perishe wyth oure workes of wickednes euē by the same Lorde that is most high and lyueth in glory for euer We are called vnto by the mylde voyce of god to attayne to the knowledge and vnderstandyng of god to loue hym to seeke after hym to be a ryght folower of hym to keepe holy his lawes and ordinances to acknowledge our wickednes co confesse our weakenes to calle for strengthe to tourne from euyll and to doo good to shewe obedience to be humble and full of humilitie to be mercyfull charitable and frendly Heb. 13. Iohn 12. to embrace loue to seeke peace also and ensewe it He cryeth vnto vs Peace peace peace bee with you and peace bee amongest you peace within and peace without yea haue ioyfulnes and peace in your consciences be charitable and folowe peace with all men and holynes without the whiche no man shall see the Lorde got who onely of hymselfe is a god of al puritie and holynes and seeketh accordynge to his nature the ouelye peaceable and pure harte of man vnto whome as vnto the faithfull louers of his testimonies lyke a mercyfull and louyng GOD yeldeth vnto theym the bountyfulnesse of his grace and to bee theyr readye healpe in all necessities And it is sygnyfyed vnto vs by the spirite of god that greate is the peace of the ryghtuouse and suche as feare God and that they neuer be offended at it It behoueth you then to be wyse peaceable and louynge and that ye also take good heede leaste ye be destitute of the knowledge and grace of God neyther that ye refuse that God offereth his grace frely vnto al me whyche he so freelye and largelye offerethe vnto all men that ye also in his holye peace maye not be hurtfull but fauourable plentuouse and bountyful in all good woorkes to thexaltation of his name that is ryche of grace and plentyfull Vse freely therfore the grace of god in the waye of peace neither respect persones therein And knowe that the peace of god maye not be patched or colorably disguysed for all as we that bee of Christe euen from the hyghest to the lowest haue receyued but one onely waye thoroughe the power of his spirite to enter the bonde of peace so muste wee all and euery of vs indifferently haue peace with all men Rom. 12. Concorde must be kepte we may not breake vnitie 1 Cor. 1. Rom. 12. we muste be all of one mynde there may bee no discention amongest vs we may not recompēce vnto any man euyll for euyll neyther may we wickedly spende our tyme in vaine talkynge Iacob 4. foolysshe babblynge vile detractyng or rashe iudgyng one an other for by suche thynges are broken our true faithe fidelitie and promise and our perfecte loue and peace that we owe to God And he that is a backe byter also and iudger of his brother as a most wicked and rebellious membre backebiteth and iudgeth the lawe which is holy and good deepely grauē in the hartes of the rightous If true loue and charitie by the good lawe of God to his praise and to the prosyte of our neighbour onely belongeth vnto vs then nothynge at all verily of our vayne talkyng VVe may not be rash in Iudgemente or othervvise to the hurt of our neighbome detraction rashe and blynde foolyshe iudgement or otherwise wherbye we may hurte our neighboures belongeth vnto vs. For the peace of god and vnitie is our profession and the vertue of charitie true frendship and godly loue should shoulde be alwayes oure very hungre and luste for our honest preferment to the estimation of God yea it is the fulfyllyng of his lawe But to vse folishe babblyng detraction or vndirect iudgement to the hurt of our neyghbour belongeth not to vs for we are corrupted in our vnderstandyng we ar carnall our iudgementes are vnperfect we are wilful and effectionate Because vve are affectionat◠and vvilful our iudgementes are vnperfect we are eyther foolyshe blynde or full of maliciousnes by whiche meanes we rather before God seke his offence and displeasure then the increace of vertue or the godlye reformation of oure neyghbours abuse whereof we wyll talke and vaynely waste oure breathe If we will seeme to busye oure selues in cases of iudgement or to looke narowly vpon other mens matters lette vs fyrst paynfully and with dilygente trauayle If we first examine a our selues vve shall the better liscerne the doinges of other examyne and iudge of oure selues what reprochefull wickednes our owne hartes possesseth what venomous fylthe lyeth lurkyng therin and the greate blyndenes also that is in our own eies that we may then the better discerne the doyng of other and so with cōpassion to ordre all thynges for our neyghbors comfort cōmoditie We are firste required to the triall and examination of our owne state VVhen our eyes and hartes are cleare and vnspotted vve shall shevv forth the fruites of a good spirite to the exaumple of other But to the contrary if our eies be wicked and oure hartes corrupted vve shevve forthe the fruites of an euil
spirite to others decay to iudge of our selues leste we bee in dede iudged of the lorde whose iudgementes are infallible and ryghtuous altogither WheÌ„ our own eies ar opened cleere vnspotted and pure oure hartes cleane purged of all impuritie then it shall beautifully appeare in suche thynges as we shall haue to dooe that we possesse a good spirit by whose power and holynesse all our dooinges shal be comely and well doon euen accordyng to the diuine nature thereof But to the coÌ„trary if our eies be wicked or our owne hartes foule and corrupted we shall shew forth the fruites of an euil and wicked spirite whether it be by hasty iudgemeÌ„t lyeng detraction fals accusation c. which ar notable euils not beloÌ„ging to vs that haue professed Christe who by his wourde hath coÌ„manded vs to seke peace quietnes to loue one another and to kepe our selues froÌ„ murmuring which profiteth nothing to spare our tongs froÌ„ sclaunderouse reportes and backbyghtynges for an ydle worde shal not passe in vayne and the mouthe that speaketh lyes sleeth his own soule Sapi. 1. who art thou saith saint Paul that iudgest another mannes seruaunt Rom. 1â— He standeth or talleth vnto his Lorde yea he maye well stande for god is able to make him staÌ„d There is one lawe geuer iudge Iacob 5. whyche is onely able to saue and to destroy What arte thou then that iudgest another Eccle. 18. Iudge firste thy selfe beefore the iudgement com so shalt thou be sure to fynde grace in the syght of God Ephe. 4. Iudge not therfore I require the that thou be not iudged agayne Walke as it becommeth your callynge wherein ye ar called Ezechi 18 Gal. 〈◊〉 wyth al humblenes of mynd mekenes and longe sufferynge forbearinge one another in loue and be diligente to keepe the vnitie of the spirite thorough the bonde of peace for euery man shall beare his own burthen and receiue his rewarde accordingly Therfore spende your tymes in the conteplacion of beueÌ„ly thinges be frendly loue togyther wyth pacyence and praye one for an other that ye maye all bee saues In loue and peace the good sowle reioyceth Iacob 5. Rom. 16. Ephe. 2. and oure hartes by loue and peace are vnited to the god of peace In whome peace abydethe there the grace of God aboundantly floweth And the possessours thereof purchase vnto theim selfes to be called the sonnes of God Math. 5. Whose godly and diuine myndes are alwaies bent to doo well and not to consente to any euyll they are paciente there is in them no desire of reuengement no murmuryng no rebellion no discorde no discention or variance abydyng Among many vertues that god gyueth vnto menne his faythfull and speciall good frendes in whom through Christe he delighteth are chiefely knowen in this lyfe by hauyng in them these thre principall vertues Thre vertues .. that is loue peace and pacience Whiche comfortablye shyneth frome the hartes of the righteous in greate beautie and clearenesse before the face of god to the reioycyng and comforte of his people and to the greate laude and prayse of his name Wherby also the world for alyght and example vnto it may well see whome they do possesse what good spirite guideth them and to what godly ende they are so guided For by their sayd vertue of loue Loue. they ioyefully passe foorth their tyme and spende their lyues with inwarde trauayle or outewarde payne in the fleshe not proprely in any thyng touchynge them selues or for their owne singular gayne and commoditie but fyrst respectynge the knowen wyll of God they obedientely to his praise in all poyntes easily performe the onely straight named bond of charite They are so lyuely possessed with the good spirite of God that touchyng theyr inwarde man they freely with ioye sette foorthe thacceptable good wourkes of god And as loue in all cases of necessitie is presentely apte to succour and comforte without respect of persons Peace so peace also adioyned to loue bothe deriued from the loue of god sorcibly ioyne them selues togither to preuent dangers that inwardely bredeth in the conscience through thinfirmite of the flesshe or suche also as hyndereth the continuance of our naturall lyues in the fleshe â—acience And touchyng pacience in thapproued man of God 3. Reg. 21. 4. Reg. 14. Esdras 18. Psal 44. Roma 8. what frende or enemy by word or dede can plucke him backe froÌ„ the bond of loue frendeship or amitie What vexation or forment in the flesshe suffereth god to bee layde vppon hym but he will contentedly beare it and that for the loue of God so deepely in suche hath he planted his grace But we coÌ„monly from whem as it semeth god for our greate wickednes sake hath withdrawne his grace are so pufte vp with the poysoned venym of the serpent and our hartes so strained with thanguishe of syn that health is taken frome vs our soules are sicke we ar fled from the helthfull and sweete foode of lise VVe haue refused the grace of god vnto the noisom and most tart tast of death In steds of goddes heuenly loue and charitie our harts are wickedly possessed with willful malice enmite for peace warre discention for pacience in aduersitie murmuringe detraction lyeng spightful reuengemeÌ„t slippyng frome god or in steade of frendly familiaritie vayne contempt strangenes O the subtiltie of the moste sleighty and malicious serpent the great soly frailtye or blindenes in our flesshe Euell are those seedes by appeeraunce and of poysoned nature Esdras 4. that hath ben sowne frome the begynnynge in the hart of man whose estate doubtles ys moste miserable whenne thorowe the wante of vertue and the lighte of gods grace he forsaketh the plesant plaine pathe way of pietie which is that reuereÌ„t seruice honour and obedience Math 7. Luke 13. Psal 10. due vnto god falleth into the daÌ„gerous stonye harde bestubbed way of iniquitye the very bonde slauery and dirtye drudgerye of the dyuell I onsure you louyng brotherne oure ease is to manifeste that onles Sathan the prince of darkenes had thorowly bewitched vs blynded oure eyes darkened oure vnderstaÌ„ding as it were to distaine the stoughtnes couragious estate of christeÌ„ souldiours robbing vs of oure memory and to tourne and winde vs like a sort of effemmate feeble light persons at his pleasure where he lusteth to our vtter derogation shame and dishonor we wold not be so strongly deluded ouerrun blindely seduced in suche snarlyng and impious pathes that leadeth vnto the lake of perpetuall payn and pardition whervnto the very order truely and continuance of our stiffenecked wickednes VVe vvilfully vvalke the vvay of vvickednes declareth playnely what pathes we treade and whose steppes to the deathe we wylle seeme frankely and very wylfully folowe For the auoydyng wherof we cannot saye to excuse our selues of ignoraunce or that we knowe
Gene. ◠the redemed mēbres of Iesus Christe our christen brotherne and naturall countreymen but suffer theim wythout cōpassion in suche lamentable wyse to appeare before oure eyes in euery corner In fieldes in high wayes in churches in stretes in by lanes in commē Iaquesses vnder stalles at rych mens doores and vnder their walles Ah most lamentable wofull case wherby if we do enter into oure owne consciences what shall we there fynde What good matter of reioycinge and perfecte peace shall there before god appeare in vs What remaineth in vs wanting the charitie of god to be quiet in our selues and to liue in the state of goddes grace Remaineth there nothyng vprightly in vs What nothing at all No no verily of any inwarde or heauenly ioy but a terrible out cry VVhere the charitie of god remayneth not there the conscience abideth vn quiet and alvvaies in terroui◠and an open accusation agaynste vs and the iust terrour and vengeance of god vppon vs because we haue not in tyme to our powers accordyng to the order of charitie and perfect compassion preuented these most notable and cursed euils or at the least for not preparyng present comfort in suche tyme of necessitie makynge our frendes of wicked mammon whereby the poore myght be relieued that there myght be also layed vp in store for our selues a good foundation in Iesus Christe against the tyme to come Rom. 12. 1 Timo. 6 Eccle. 11. and obtayne-thorough hym euerlastynge lyfe Ryches is a good thing for it is the gift of god and so likewise is pouertie and as god hath made somme men riche with an holye and good spirite to despyse worldlye gooddes so hathe he also appointed some to beare the bourden of pouertie that they might happilye receiue his benefites at suche charitable and rich mennes handes O how blessed are those that haue riches the good gyfte of god where by they maye not only make many frendes to the praise of God Pro. 19. and their owne comforte but seeke also the fauour of the poore that are often through pouerty for saken of their frendes whose continuall praier and swete blessinge by the promises of god shall purchase vnto theym the fauour of god healthfulnes ioy prosperitie and plentifull encreace For the charitable acte of the rightuous godly man god alwayes beholdeth and accepteth as an hygh and wourthie sacrifice whiche he at any tyme vaynelye receyue not and without recompence but as his acte is worshyppeful accordynge to Salomon to doe good and to help the poore in their necessity which be calleth lendinge vnto the Lorde or layed out for a season so the Lord god that is all goodnesse and truths that delighteth in well doing and reioiceth in hys people wyll not wythholde hys bountyfull hande but see him largelye requighted agayne Prou. 19. Prou. 29. Prouer. 12 The poore and the lender ofte meete together but it is the Lorde that lightneth both their eyes It is the lord that prepareth pouertie It is the lord that geueth vnto the poore strengthe and consolation thoroughe faith by the power of his spirite to ask in his name and to attaine reliefe It is the lord also that geueth ryches Eccle. 17. and wourketh in the hartes of the rich tender compassion and mercye towardes the poore by the same spirite whereby hys name in theym bothe is hyghlys reuerenced and magnyfied And he that thus geeueth or lendeth vnto the poore in the name of God shal be blessed and not want him self For the mercye that a mercifull man sheweth here vnto his neighbour in these terrestrial vain earthly thynges is as it were a purse wyth hym or a treasure house plentuousely stuffed with thin comparable and endlesse treasures of god the father in and by oure Lorde Iesus Christe thorowe the loue and faith in whom a mans good dedes preserueth hym euen as the apple of an eye So that al vertuous and charitable dedes God louyngely beholdeth in Christe and largely agayn requiteth If grace wer amongst vs to consider the same and practise it But we are I saye to the contrary so blynded and sore infected with earthely and vayne affectes and felse loue so preuayleth our senses to rule that wee forgette god and his wourde we neglecte Christe and his gospelle we haue embraced but a benummed and deade faythe wee haue not reuerentely in price the onely merites of Christes deathe but wee rather heare the name of Christyanitie and holynesse secludynge the true faithe in the waye of rightousnes and are in deede enuironned and cloked in with all kyndes of maliciousnesse and wickednesse we haue professed in Iesus Christ to loue god aboue all thynges and our neighbours as our selues but we contempne God and Christe our creatour and sauioure and the rather neglecte oure poore neighboures and christen brotherne our companions in Christ and felowe heyres with him in his kyngedome bendynge our whole affectes to the onely dead will of the flesh we loue so much the world the diuelles snares hath caught vs The deuell the vvorlde and the flesh preuaileth against vs. Ena hath deceyued vs light fātasies are obeyed excesse beareth rule our callinges are abused our eies must be satisfied our bodyes must go gaye our feding must be fyne our pastymes must be kepte and what so euer earthly vanitie the deuill motioneth the worlde proeureth or the fleshe coneteth therevnto our corrupted hartes immediatlye consenteth Trulye Sathan that cursed enemy and prynce of impietie syns his firste fall from the kingdome of god into vtter darkenes neuer better bestirred hī to the nereace of his helly kingdom thē now in these our pitiles and most vnhappy daies And how he preuaileth and in victory triūpheth god to oure plage suffereth his grace he withdraweth which our wickednes serueth and that the godlye most greuously feeleth and with teares also lamenteth And if herein we now consider mennes ingratitude amongeste whome in their degrees they greatlye differ as some are muche more to bee noted then some namelye of such thinges as shal immediatly folowe considering how merueilously we be mixed with what diuersitie of spirites we bee guided and how variable in al our doynges we are alwais affected for we haue not amōgest vs one only faith we leane not zelously to one only true god neyther doo we seeke one onelye eternall and heauenlye father whose wyll of all men shoulde onely be receyued folowed if our hartes in dede were onlye to him vnited But as we bee apparauntly and to euel deuided and some to one way and some to another addicted so the powers of darkenesse hathe mightilie preuailed and wroughte open contempte to our iust reproche Therfore respectinge these two natures thus deuided I wyll humbly now wyth reuerence leaue here wourthylye vntouched all vertuous ryghte prudente honourable and godlye gouernours whose harts I acknowlege in their doinges to be alwayes moste aptly tempered with the reuerēd feare of God from whome
our pleasures other shall enioy our winnings he will leaue vs euill heires vicious wastfull spenders for we oure selues are vniust and corrupted gainers and haue craftily deceiued our neighbors we are gone backe from god uns haue ben disobediēt to the voyce of god Daniel 9 for we haue she wed our selfs vnthankfull a faithles Esav 59. 1. Iohn 3. we are also pitiles our hartes possesseth maliciousnesse we haue brokē that peace of god our hādes are ful of bloude we haue cōmitted murther we haue slaine that innocent we are gyltie of our brothernes death therfore their bloud in that way of reuengemēt crieth from the erth with terrible and shyrle sound for the swifte vengeance of god to come vpon vs who also hath promysed to reuenge the quarel of his deare people louing frendes vpō his and their moste cursed and malicious enemyes Deut 3◠Psal 11◠Rom. 12. Vengeaunce is myne sayth the lord god and I will reuenge I wil rose vp at the exclamation and crye of the poore It is I that wil visit the wickednes of the people vpon them selues and vpon their childres children vnto the third and fourth generation of thē that hate me Exod. 54 Iere. 32. and breake my cōmaundementes And in the parable betwixt the wicked slowe iudge and the poore wydowe that cryeth for vengeaunce against her enemye Luke 18. whiche although at the begynnynge he woulde not harken vnto her to performe shortely her gladde desire yet thorough her importunacie and busye callynge on dydde graunte her her suite in the ende So saithe Christe shall not God also reuenge the quarell of his elected dere people whiche with their extremities and necessities cry day and night vnto hym for succour strength or deliuerance although he seeme somwhat at their fyrst cries to deferre in helpinge thē Yes yes I tell you plainly he will notwithstāding be reuenged for their sakes yea he will poure our the bitternes of his wrath vpon their enemies Abacu 2 that without delay And the prophet Abacuk saith of gods coming to performe his wil If he tar◠saith he loke for him assuredly for he will shortly appere not be slow in coming After this maner in sundry places for dyuers causes that lord in the scriptures thundreth vnto vs his sharpe thretninges most hytter reuengementes to remembre our selues if we coulde happily with due reuerence receiue thē into our hartes O Lord in what dangerous state stande we nowe in if we shuld wourthily ioyne with oure wycked desettes the due iustice of God Math. 25. Rom. 3 14 2. Cor. 5. Hebre. 10 What shal we be able herein in the terrible day before the iudgement state of God to lay for our selues for the escapyng of our damnation to come Howe shall wee then excuse our lyngryng and lyghtenes and our flacknes to tourne vnto god O let vs remembre howe fearefull a thynge it is to fall into the handes of the lyuyng god He is the God whose wrathe and great fury no man mate withstande Iob. 9. but the proudest and most stought of theim all must stoupe vnder hym It shall therfore be moste expedient for vs christen brotherne and louyng frendes accordyng to the mynde of the prophete of God Psal 119. to call to our remembraunce our owne wicked waies and to tourne our selues to the testimonies of god and not to vse dalyaunce and prolongynge the tyme to keepe his lawes The waye of lyfe at any time may not vs neglected It may not slouthefully be applied vnto neither fearefully but with moste assured purpose with all our hartes and with ryghte confident and forwarde myndes The spirite of god calleth vnto vs sayenge Make no caryeng seeke no delayes to tourne vnto the Lorde god put not of frome daye to daye for sodenly shall hys wrathe come and in the tyme of vengeance shall he destroy you Turne in tyme set not your felicitie in vayne thynges mortifie your affectes trust not in wycked riches Eccle. 16. nor in the pleasures of thys fickle lyfe for they shall not helpe you in the terrible day of goddes sharp wrath and ponishment but beinge abused they shall rather stance as witnesses agaynst you to your vtter condemnation for euer Psal 119. We maye not deferre nor dalye wyth the voyce and counsayles of god offered vnto vs at what tyme by whome or by what meane soeuer he shal sende theim our owne consciences beynge iudge least thorowe our slackenes and most beastly negligence there appere wickedly in vs open contempte and so the spyryte of grace bee vtterlye taken frome vs and fall into the like daunger of the obstinate blynde and stiffe-necked Iewes whose vncyreumsised heartes were possessed with the spirite of vnquietnesse instabilitye Iere. 19. and lyghtnesse whyche also whenne they knewe GOD Roma 11. Esay 6. Math. 13. Iohn 12. Act. 28. Rom. 1. glorified hym not as God they were vnthankefull for hys benefyttes they were vaynely addicted in their imaginations their foolish heartes were blynded neyther regarded they their obedience and duetye to the voyee of GOD whose voyce is gloriouse and as the Prophete sayth mighty in operacion Psal 29.81 Prou. 1. and therfore he wythdrewe the swetenes of his grace from theim and gaue them vppe vnto the bytternesse of theyr owne heartes lustes and wyckedly to followe their owne fylthy and vayne fantasies whiche was to leade theyr lyues in al abhomination and vnrightuousenes as the holye ghost by the apostle doth shew vnto vs amonge the whyche he toucheth contempte of god dysobedience maliciousenesse murther enuye debate backebightynge truce breaking vnmercyfull and vnlouynge the fruites of an euill and most wicked spirite whiche their hartes blyndly thorough pryde and obstinacye wylfully possessed whose filthy familiaritie we must hate and not haunt but with an humble and make spirite for the more speedie preuention of gods yre and wrath to yelde vnto hys voyce and wythoute delaye to receyue the diuyne and most neadeful request of the holye ghost Iere. 11. Hebre. 12. by the mouth of the apostle which saieth See that ye despise not hym that speaketh vnto you By whiche heauenly and dyuyne aduertisement although the sentence hee but shorte it comprehendeth yet a greate charge for wee muste therebye learne and consider who it is that the apostle meaneth doth speake vnto vs what a louīg GOD he is a GOD of rightuousnesse a mercyfull GOD an euerlasting god almyghtye iust and terrible and to what good ende be speaketh vnto vs in what danger also we shal stād in If we vnreuersely do neglecte his voyce For if they in those daies in the time of Moses escaped not that wrath of god which thē refused to here hym that spake vpō the earth much more shall we not escape the greate yre of God if we tourne our eares frō him Exod. 19. that speaketh vnto vs from heauen whose terrible and mightye voyce hydde
deceyued brotherne God requireth the very hart For it is not the outwarde shew onely and the name or title of Christ that came dyscharge vs and satisfie rightlye a God of ryghtuousenesse who requireth the very harte the whole suÌ„me of faythefull fruites therein conteyned For as the law is boly and our profession of al other most pure so the puritie of oure liues must in suche wise appeare that the law of god and our profession may shyne aboue all other In vayne to the contrary shall we bost of our holynes of god and Chryste and of their moste holy and vndefiled lawes how so euer in accustom we vse to commend them to beare them in oure handes to haÌ„dle theym to carye theym at our gyrdles in our bosomes talke of them here theÌ„ reuerentlye preached of preachers or at any tyme elles read of our selues For the booke or holye table wherein the law of god shoulde be imprinted or depely grauen are the hartes of men and such as he hath chosen to him self which is according to this sayenge of Dauid Psal 36. The law of god is in their hartes From whense procedeth the very perfection and true meaning of the holy law of god to the good exaumple of the heathen or such as know not god for their coÌ„uersion to that praise of god whereunto we are couÌ„sailed of saincte peter to shew forth that truth of our professioÌ„ that is to lead an holy coÌ„uersacioÌ„ amoÌ„g that heathen strauÌ„g natioÌ„s that they which backbighte vs as euell dooers may behold our holy good workes 1 Pet. 2. that the name of god in that day of his visitatioÌ„ amoÌ„gest vs may be lifted vp magnified Roma 2. Iacob 1. Math. 7. And S. Paul saith Not that herers of the law but that fulfillers of the law shal be iustified before god neither shal euery one that saith lord lord enter into the kingdoÌ„ of heueÌ„ but such as do that wil of our father which is iÌ„ heueÌ„ those are they also whome Dauid speaketh of to be vndefiled in the way of the lorde Psal 119. and that they shal be blessed beecause they keepe hys testimonies they committe no wickednesse neyther are they double faced disseÌ„blers but seeke hym right forth simplye wyth their whole hartes whose heartes are sounde and pure and vnto whome in such wise belongeth the blessynge of god that they shall cleerely see the face of god Math 5. The ioyes whereof no eare hathe herde no tongue can speake nor the hart of man at any tyme can thinke which ioy and euerlasting rewarde god the father in Iesus Chryste hath promised vnto the rightuous for their obedient and holy lyues for the cleannes and puritye of their hartes by the power of hys holye spirit and shal be perfourmed trulye vpon theÌ„ at his gracious and most godly appointed time But if we that haue professed the law of god only beare an outwarde face of loue towardes god confessynge hym wyth oure mouthes and denye hym inwardlye in our hartes thorough oure euell and corrupted conuersation wourke we not then rather oure iust dampnation then saluacion or rather to be cursed of god then blessed The true knowledge and lous of GOD amongeste vs effectuallye consisteth herein that is in wourking in folowynge and in good ordre of lyuynge accordyng to his most perfecte exaumple by the rule of hys wourd rather then in vayne talking â—ayned fauouring or in colde or slipper louing 1. Cor 4â— And touchynge the sayde capital vice of pryde amongest others A poisoned 〈◊〉 of perdicion If we woulde happily enter into our selues 〈◊〉 with sincere iudgemente and secrete examination what we bee of oure selues what substaunce wee are made of of what base matter of how fraile and fylthye flesh what lothsome frutes commeth thereof vnto how many miseryes diseases and daungers we be in subiection vnto lyuyng in the fleshe The misery of makind in this life the filthines of our conception the place and manner of our byrth wyth how great daunger we be borne ryther touchynge our selues or our mothers that beareth vs how naked we also are howe neadye how brutishe how sore how wretched and howe myserablye we creepe into thys chaungeable lyghte of lyfe and that oure race then beynge but shorte death in the ende must of necessitye ouercome vs These few thinges I say among other well noted of vs would some thing mortifie in vs I think our corrupted grosse affects they would be a meane the rather to cleanse in vs among the rest that pestilent insectioÌ„ of pryde a vyce moste ougly hatefull and detestable before God and man the originall of all synne whereby also we are fylled wyth the cursynges of God Eccle. 1â— who hathe promised that greate wretchednes and misery shall come vpoÌ„ vs that in the latter time shal dwel in the worlde for the greatnes sake of that lothsome and cursed vyce And how it aboundeth now in these daâ—es Esdâ—as 8. we maye well note and thinke the appointed tymes of gods vengeaunce to be wourthilye entred amongest vs. And because that in the lyfe and welfare of the proud people of this world dependeth greate and manye mischieues to the griefe and vexation of the poore and rightuous the prophet crieth in this wyse for the hastenynge of Gods vengeance amoÌ„gst theÌ„ Psal 9â— Arise O lord thou iudge of the world recompence in thy fury the great pride of this people euen after their just deseruing O forget not the voice of thyn enemies for the presumption of theÌ„ that be hatefull agaynst thee encreaceth yet stylle more and more Again Let the proude be confouÌ„ded O Lord for they go wickedly about to destroy me And tholde sayenge hathe bene from the begynnyng Pride wyl haue a fall Whiche agreeth to the saying of SalomoÌ„ PresuÌ„ptioÌ„ goth before shame destrucitoÌ„ after a proud stomack ther foloweth a fal May we not no we think it at the highest and neuer so like to fall Pro. 21.29 Was there euer sens god created heuen and earth that like abuse abhomination wtout measure reignyng Can it by any meanes more horribly appere amoÌ„gst vs Can it with possibilitie Excesse in pride froÌ„ any faÌ„tastical head that beareth life be more diuersly deuised chargeably to the painting forth setting out of our rotteÌ„ carrainly carcases Or can it be by other more vainly or foÌ„dly deuised thaÌ„ is of our selfs foÌ„dly coÌ„seÌ„ted to receued Of ther coÌ„sider we as we ought in al such our doinges our poore and hase estate or the sleandernes of our habilitie for the supportation of such a chargeable fantasie In pride vve forget poâ—â—â—tie And dothe it not also by oure wourkes appeare that as we are gloriouse gaye and ryche without our hartes are wretched deformed and full of pouertye wythin yes vndoubtedlye both in the presence of god and all godly men
it is to to plaine and euideÌ„t and that we are presently thereby among other euelles greately entred into the hatred of god Our Lord haue mercye vpon vs for his sonne Iesus Chrystes sake and temper oure heartes wyth the spirit of his feare that we may in al our doynges better consider our christen profession and declare it more holylie in our outward conuersatioÌ„ that the terrible threatnynges of gods vengeaunce do not light vpon vs. Temperance in the lyfe of a christiaÌ„ is a moste precious and bright shynynge vertue to shew forth gods glori and to declare the beautifull lyuely state of the christeÌ„ commen wealth It is a true sayenge that the wourdes countinaunce gesture and the apparell of the outwarde man Gods vengeance amoÌ„gst theÌ„ Arise O lord thou iudge of the world recompence in thy fury the great pride of this people euen after their iust deseruing O forget not the voice of thyn enemies for the presumption of theÌ„ that be hatefull agaynst thee encreaceth yet stylle more and more Again let the proude be confouÌ„ded Psal 〈…〉 O Lord for they go wickedly about to destroy me And the prophete also foreseing iÌ„ hiÌ„selfe by the spirite of god how horrible and lothsome this synne of pryde was in the sight of god and how hurtful and daungerous a thyngâ— it was both touching the poisoned nature thereof either raingning in him self or iÌ„ any other persoÌ„ what power also to mischiefe was therein approued ofteÌ„ he cryed in this maned vnto god sayeng O Lord that art my strength keepe me thy seruaunt I beseche thee from the sinnes of presumption O defende me leaste they get the dominion ouer me then shall I O god be cleane innocent and vndefiled end from the great offence O lette not the foute of pride come against me neither lette the hande of vngodly crosse ouerthrowe me and cast me downe Thus this good man of god for his own safegarde and defence and for the auoyding of goddes vengeaunce declareth his owne weakenes and crieth vpon god for hys assistence and strength against this pestilent vyce and against the possessoures thereof leaste by fastnyng specially vpon hymselfe susteining thereby the violence of hys ennemyes he shoulde bee confounded and throwne downe as experience diuerslye hath taught at all tymes and vpon all estates either vpon the proude people them selues by goddes only hand for the proude to be plaged and subuerted by the proude or also vpon anye other that haue sustayned in innocencie the violente crueltie of the proude And because as he him self was a fearer and feruents louer of god and had experience as before meÌ„tioned of this infectuous vyce and woulde haue all men in lyke maner to reuerence God to loue hym and to eschewe the daungers of this vice what the nature therof is what it wourketh in theym that possesseth it and what they coÌ„menlye are that sustayne the violence thereof and what the rewarde also shal be vnto theym that embraceth this euell he him self besides other wrighteth thereof in this maner Pride saith he engendreth forgetfulnes of god Pride wourketh in the hartes of the wicked coÌ„teÌ„pt of god Neither is God in the thoughtes of the proude Their waâ—es are continually greuouse Their mouthes are full of cursing spight bitternes scornefulnes wilines lyeng deceipte fraud vnder their tonges is vngodlines and vanitie they are lurkers they are dyggers of pyttes setters of trappes and layers of snares to catche the rightuous and lowlye they are priuye murtherers of the innocent and they haue their eyes fyxed and full bente to the destruction of the poore Psal 〈…〉 c. What euelles are there that bee noysom vpon the earthe to the hurte of man the springeth not froÌ„ the hart of the wicked proude maÌ„ For pride is the original of al sin wickednes the begynnynge whereof is wickedly to slippe and fall from God his creatoure and maker for his hart is wythdrawne from dym Ecclesi â—â— There is no feare of God before his eyes The proude flatter theimselues in their owne syght euen tyll their abhominable synnes be found out Tush say they in the pride of their heartes we shall neuer bee caste downe there shall no harme happen vnto vs God hath forgotten he hydeth awaye his face and he shall neuer see it Psal 10. But contrarywyse the holy ghost men cloneth of the proude respectyng the affectes of their corrupted hartes that the myghtye hande of God scattereth theim in the imagination of their hartes Luke i. The Lorde shall roote out all wycked and deceiptful lyppes and the tungues also that speakethe suche prowde thynges Psalm 12. Agayne as God beyng moste hygh respecteth gently the humble and lowely so beholdethe he the wyckednesse of the prowde people afarre of Psal 138. And agayne who so hathe a prowde â—oke and an hyghe stomacke hym wyll I not suffer sayeth the Lorde Psal 101. And in an other place The glorye of the Lordes maiestie casteth downe the â—aute and hygh lookes of the presumptuous and bryngeth full lowe the vayne pride of man Esay 2. And this also in an other place All people that are forgetfull of God and of their duetie in humilitie and obedience vnto hym shall bee tourned into hell Note also touchynge pride Psal 9. amonge other places of the scriptures what the prophete Esaye saieth and what the terriblenes of gods wrathe is there mencioned agaynst the same And here also I thynke it not oute of the way Esay 3. that we coÌ„syder and note wel the blyssefull state sometyme of the mosse glorious cleare and beautyfull creature Lucyfer that gloried so muche in hym self and sought in his pride beyng but a creature to aduance and to exalte hym selfe vp into heauen and to sette his throne besydes the starres of God his Creator and maker He desired in his proud hart to clyme aboue the cloudes and to bee in comparison lyke vnto the mooste hyghe God But what happened therby vnto hym Receiued he not his reward accordingly wheÌ„ he was wourthily thrown down euen to the verye deapthe of helle where he remayneth in steade of a fair bryghte aungell of heauen an horrible fowle deuell of hell abyding in dampnacion and darkenes wyth hys companions for euer the ryghte father of pride and of al wycked presumptuous persons and the onelye rynge leader high capitaine prince and ruler of all abhomination and iniquitie Esay 14 Seynge then that the apparaunte and iust vengeaunce of god hath bene felt from the begynnynge for such disobedience and pryde and that he hath promised by hys wourd to perfourme truly hys wrathe for suche wycked offences O why woulde pride spring by anye meanes from the harte of man ouer whome hangeth the yrefull power of so terrible a god man beyng of hym selfe most feeble and a frayle creature very corruption earth and asshes Eccle. 10. O blessed therfore is the maÌ„ that is lowly meeks spirited the hathe only with
reuerence set his hope in the lord god hath not tourned vnto the wais of the proude For vndoubtedly when the wrath of god shall fall by his iustice vpon thys generation for the synne of disobedience pride as in all ages before it hath ben greuously felt O how great shall the fall thereof be vpon vs yea how alas shall we wretched creatures bee able to abyde it The olde sayenge hathe bene from the begynnyng Pride wyl haue a fall Pre. 21 2â— Whiche agreeth to the saying of SalomoÌ„ Presumption goeth bee fore shame and destruction and after a proude stomack ther foloweth a fall Maye wee not nowe thinke it at the higheste 〈…〉 pride and neuer so lyke to fall Was there euer sens GOD created heauen and earth the like abuse and abhomination with oute measure raignynge Canne it by anye meanes moare horribly appeare amongeste vs Canne it wyth possibilitie from anye fantasticall heade that beareth lyfe bee more dyuerslye deuysed and chargeablye to the payntynge foorthe and fettynge oute of oure rotten carraynlye carcases Or can it bee by other more vainely or fondly deuysed then is of our selues fondely conseÌ„ted to and receyued Eyther consyder we as we oughte in all suche our dooynges oure poore and base estate or the sleandernes of our habilitie In prvde vve forget pouâ—â—â—tie for the supportation of such a chargeable fantasie And dothe it not also by oure wourkes appeare that as we are gloriouse gaye and ryche without our hartes are wretched deformed and full of pouertye wythin yes vndoubtedlye both in the presence of god and all godly men it is to to plain and euideÌ„t and that we are presently thereby among other euelles greately entred into the hatred of god Our Lord haue mercye vpon vs for his sonne Iesus Chrystes sake and temper oure heartes wyth the spirit of his feare that we may in al our doynges better consider our christen profession and declare it more holylie in our outward conuersatioÌ„ that the terrible thretnynges of gods vengeaunce do not light vpon vs. Temperance in the lyfe of a christiaÌ„ is a moste precious and bright shynynge vertue to shew forth gods glori and to declare the beautifull lyuely state of the christeÌ„ commen wealth It is a true sayenge that the wourdes countinaunce gesture and the apparell of the outward man expresseth plainelye the naturall disposition and lust of the inward man But what diuersitie is there now touching the present state of our liues betwixte vs VVe diffre nothinge froÌ„ the sodomites the most vyle people some tyme of the world that were moste detestable in the light of god for the gretnes of their wicked company and the multitude of their terrible synnes ouer whome god rained from heauen sulpher fyre brymstone wyth great darkenes and horrible stinch for their reward and destruction namely the filthy sodomites and stinking Gomorreans whose ioy and felicitie was in pride delicacie fulnes of meate abundaunce and ydlenes neither reached they their hande to the poore but were harde harted and pitiles and full of al fylthye abhomination Vnto whom in the fulnes of their pride and stynkyng felicitie the Prophetes of God preached repentance to tourne them from their great abhominatioÌ„ wickednes and to escape the heauye wrathe of God presentely hanging ouer them if they could haue preuailed whose heueÌ„ly doctrines from time to time sharpe threatninges geÌ„tle warnings faire promises from god offered vnto them Preaching preuailed not against the Sodomites The destruccion of the sodomites were no lesse bytter and vnsauery vnto theim then their accustomed haunted fleshlines or beastly filthines was pleasaunt and sweete vnto theim And so without leauing of or fearing daunger they stil contynued in their beastelye wickednes vntill the vnquencheable fyre of gods vengeaunce fell down vpon them to their perpetual confusion of body and soule The signe of whiche horrible destruccion and great veÌ„geance of god remayneth in the place vnts thys daye for an exaumple vnto the wycked inhabitours of the earthe wherebye they maye learne to knowe and feare the mighty at me of so terrible and iuste a God agaynst hys obstnate styffenecked VVe are carelesse of gods vengeaunce proude vncharitable and filthy enemies O howe careles also are we of such thinges Howe slacke and farre of are we from due cogitation of that mightie god and of his iustice that shoulde bee alwayes a terrour in our consciences And of his humilitie and great example also of loue lowlynesse cleannes and puritye that should mooue vs to charitie mekenes holynesse and chastitie Neyther consyder wee the frailtie rebellion and vilitie of our fickle and frayle flesshe VVe seeke not to vvith stande the rebellion and greate frailetie in our fleshe to withstand the corrupt motions therof that euer yeldeth to euyll and reeleth alwayes wyth greate daunger to fall Yea and other whyles the fall is suche as we maye here and knowe through our willfull presumption longe suffering lyngerynge daliaunce or fylthye wantonnes that it descendethe frome synne to sinne VVe fal thoroughe the flesh neuer to ryse againe and from one iniquitie to another tyll the staye of gods grace be vtterly takeÌ„ away so neuer to rise again but fal with the sinking Sodomites by what ordre of corporall deth so euer it be froÌ„ god to the deuel to eternal deth hel daÌ„pnacion for euer O pleasaunt purchaced end wourthy reward for such pleasures Hath it not ben as wel truly known as often spoken the sweete meate wil haue sharpe soure sauce haue we not also knowne that after a few vain short foolish pleasures there foloweth many bitter woful and endles miseries the after laughter ioy iolitie there foloweth lamentacion greuous cruel desteny that after health wealth and worldlye prosperitie there foloweth the troden trace of infelicitie And finally after an vnrepeÌ„tant wycked shorte lyfe there foloweth gods iuste iudgemeÌ„t to eternal death These thinges wel noted May we not thinke our tymes welle spente that serueth for so louely recompence For a fewe dayes of vain pleasures to enioy euer lasting paines Thou O man that art in such wise disobedient a contempner of god a refuser of hys grace or obstinate and heady agaynst hym that is so mightye so mercifull pitifull and gentle thou an apt folower of the deuel that is so merciles and cruell a tiraunts be thou well assured hereof that in thys case thorough thyne owne wylfull malyce and beastly obstinacie both their mindes shal be sette and ioyned together agaynste thee that is the one to wythdrawe hys mercye from thee God fotsaketh the refuser of his grace The deuell receiueth him and vtterly to forsake thee and the other maliciously to take thee and mercilesse to torment thee Thou shalt not deuise to do more wickedly then he wil prepare wayes to cruciate thee And thoughe thy tyme of fylthy pleasures and to do wickedly be but